Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Western Michigan University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Median Debt

$27,000

19% above national median

Analysis

Western Michigan's geography program carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—higher than the state median of $23,750 and notably above the $22,657 national benchmark for this major. That debt burden matters more when earnings plateau quickly: students here earn roughly $38,700 in their first year (based on national peers) and barely move to $39,328 by year four. This isn't a credential where patience pays off through salary growth.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 sits within manageable range, but the comparison with reported outcomes at nearby schools reveals the challenge. Eastern Michigan's geography graduates earn $41,103—about $2,400 more annually than what Western Michigan students can expect based on comparable programs. Over several years, that gap compounds while the higher debt load here creates an additional financial drag.

For anxious parents, the key question is whether a geography degree justifies borrowing above-average amounts for this major when the earnings trajectory stays flat and peer institutions appear to deliver better results. If your student is committed to this field, exploring programs with either stronger earnings outcomes or lower debt loads would provide a clearer path to financial stability. The combination of elevated borrowing and limited earnings growth makes this particular investment harder to defend.

Where Western Michigan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all geography and cartography bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Western Michigan University	—	$39,328	—
University of Maryland-College Park	$40,913	$65,748	+61%
Texas A&M University-College Station	$54,204	$64,337	+19%
The University of Texas at Austin	$36,878	$61,313	+66%
Grand Valley State University	$35,838	$46,379	+29%

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (9 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo	$15,298	$38,726*	$39,328	$27,000	—
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti	$15,510	$41,103*	—	$17,425	0.42
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale	$14,628	$35,838*	$46,379	$20,500	0.57
National Median	—	$38,726*	—	$22,657	0.59

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with geography and cartography graduates

Geographers

Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

$97,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

$78,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

$51,940/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Western Michigan University, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 95 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.